State of the Air

State of the Air Report

The American Lung Association's State of the Air annual report card provides citizens with easy-to-understand air pollution summaries of the quality of the air in their communities.

State of the Air examines the most recent quality-assured ozone and particulate data from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and assigns a grade to each county.

See 2009 report for Colorado

See full report

Colorado's Air Quality Summary: 2009
The Denver metro area saw falling grades in the 10th annual American Lung Association State of the Air report released today. The State of the Air Report gives letter grades to counties with air quality monitoring devices for ozone and particle pollution. Ground-level ozone is formed when nitrogen oxides combine with volatile organic compounds in the presence of heat and sunlight. Particulate pollution is made up of fine pieces ash, soot, dust, and metals that originate from mobile sources as well as power plants.

Adams and Denver Counties received a grade of C for ozone pollution based on air quality monitoring data obtained from 2005-2007. In the same report, Arapahoe, Boulder, Douglas, and Jefferson Counties received a grade of F. These grades have fallen when compared to last year’s report, in which Adams County received an A, Arapahoe and Denver Counties received a B, Boulder and Douglas Counties received a C, and Jefferson County received the lowest grade
of a D.

Counties in the Denver metro area did not see improving grades regarding 24-hour particulate pollution. While Boulder County maintained a grade of A, Adams and Arapahoe Counties dropped from a B in 2008 to a C this year. Similarly in last year’s report, the City and County of Denver received a grade of F. All counties in Colorado passed the annual test for particulates, indicating that yearly averages for this pollutant were within healthy limits.

Other clean air pages:

	Indoor Air Quality • Radon • Tools For Schools
	Outdoor Air Quality • Denver Clean Cities Coalition • Alternative Fuel Vehicles • State of the Air Report • Resources

Ozone: Good Up High, Bad Nearby

Ground-level ozone is a dangerous pollutant that can trigger a variety of health problems including chest pain, coughing, throat irritation, and congestion. It can worsen bronchitis, emphysema, and asthma. Repeated exposure may permanently scar lung tissue. Ozone is the main ingredient of urban smog.

However, ozone high up in the stratosphere protects life on Earth from the sun's harmful ultraviolet rays.